The defending national champion UConn women’s basketball team experienced a long delay and a red-eye flight before finally arriving in Arizona for the Final Four at 3:15 a.m. MST on Thursday. The team’s original plane departing at 6 p.m. EDT had mechanical issues, so they ended up taking a smaller Allegiant Air plane from Bradley International Airport near Hartford at around 1:30 a.m. EDT for the flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. UConn, the No. 1 seed, is set to play fourth-seeded Alabama in the semifinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Saturday night, with the championship game taking place on Monday night.
While UConn arrived in Arizona in the early hours of Thursday, other Final Four teams had already been in Arizona for a longer period of time. Second-seeded Alabama and third-seeded Purdue had arrived in Arizona on Tuesday night, while NC State arrived on Wednesday afternoon. The NCAA released a statement expressing their disappointment in UConn’s delayed arrival and stated that they had worked with the team and a charter company to explore multiple alternatives for their travel arrangements. The Huskies had not been on a plane since early March, opting to take buses to various destinations for games due to travel complications.
The UConn women’s basketball team’s journey to the Final Four has been marked by various travel issues, including canceled flights and delays. After their March 6 game with Marquette, the team faced a canceled flight and had to spend an extra day in Milwaukee. For subsequent games and tournaments, such as the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament rounds, the team opted for bus travel instead of flying to avoid potential travel disruptions. Despite these challenges, UConn managed to navigate through the tournament and secure a spot in the Final Four, where they will face Alabama in the semifinals.
The NCAA’s statement regarding UConn’s delayed arrival acknowledged the impact on the team’s travel experience and expressed their disappointment at the situation. It was noted that efforts were made to explore alternative travel options in collaboration with the team and a charter company, but the delay could not be avoided. Despite the late arrival, the UConn women’s team remained focused on their upcoming games in the Final Four and were eager to compete against Alabama in the semifinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
As a No. 1 seed in the women’s basketball tournament, UConn has been a dominant force throughout the season and is determined to defend their national championship. The team’s resilience in overcoming travel challenges and adapting to changing circumstances reflects their commitment to success on the court. With the Final Four games approaching, UConn’s focus is on preparation and ensuring that they are ready to compete at their best against tough opponents like Alabama. The team’s perseverance and dedication in the face of unforeseen obstacles demonstrate their strength and determination to succeed in the tournament.
